§ 32 and 68. Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations he has received from the bodies representing ophthalmic and dispensing opticians and the Joint Optical Consultative Committee on the Common Market regarding the draft directives for European Economic Community opticians; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a statement in regard to the safeguards and guarantees required by the optical profession arising from discussions on the European Economic Community draft directives relating to opticians.
58W
§ Sir K. JosephI have received representations from bodies representing the optical profession to the effect that some draft directives under consideration by the European Economic Community would in their present form be unsuitable for application in the United Kingdom and that they could undermine the present conditions of practice both of ophthalmic and of dispensing opticians. I recognise that there are substantial difficulties here and I have been able to assure the representatives of the profession that the United Kingdom will be given the opportunity of proper consultation under the arrangements which have been agreed with the Community for the interim period before we become full members of the Community in January, 1973.